Brazil do it again, Uruguay back in the big time

Brazil will defend the world title they won in Bahamas two years ago after cruising to victory in the South American qualifiers for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019.

The five-time world champions will be joined by Uruguay, the side they beat 10-1 in the final. Runners-up to Brazil in the group phase, La Celeste return to the global stage for the first time since 2009. Completing the podium were Paraguay, who won their group but lost to the Uruguayans in the semi-finals.

La Albirroja, who qualify automatically for the next World Cup as hosts, ended on a high noted with a 6-5 defeat of Argentina in the match for third place, a result that left La Albiceleste out the world finals for the second time in a row.

In a tournament that yielded an average of 10.11 goals per match (273 from 27), the remaining placings were as follows: Peru (fifth), Colombia (sixth), Chile (seventh), Ecuador (eighth), Bolivia (ninth) and Venezuela (tenth).